Jimmy Piersall was a pioneer, though not many have have followed the path he forged over six decades ago. At the time, Piersall was viewed as a clown and an oddity, much of which was his own doing. His antics were part manifestation of his bipolar disorder and part his out-there, take-it-or-leave-it attitude. Whether it was his opponents, his teammates, or the propriety of the game, this was a man who pulled no punches and gave no damns what people thought.
Over the course of a decorated 17-year career with the Red Sox, Indians, Mets, Senators, and Angels, Piersall feuded with just about everyone.